Tyco 4100U-S1 installation manual Network Configuration, Ring/Star Configuration Example

Network Configuration

Overview

Ring and Star Configurations

Multiple 4100U-S1 panels can be connected together into a network system by using network interface cards (NICs). When a NIC is installed into a 4100U-S1, it is used to connect to other network nodes. Nodes may consist of other 4100U-S1 or larger 4100U panels, or they may be other types of node such as Graphical Command Centers (GCCs), or Visual Command Centers (VCCs). A node is a self-sufficient CPU that controls appliances and devices, and which also has the capability of controlling and communicating with other nodes.

The network configuration supports two common architectures or wiring configurations: ring or star. A networked system can also use a combination of the two.

The ring configuration consists of a number of nodes connected in a closed loop. The star configuration consists of several nodes connected directly to one common node. Physical bridge cards are used for the star configuration. Physical bridges reduce the amount of wire that would otherwise be needed to connect all nodes in a loop, and therefore cut down on system response time. However, the ring configuration is more secure against cabling faults. A combination of the two styles is illustrated in Figure 3-1.

	Ring Topology
Graphic Command	Network Display Unit
Center (GCC)
	(NDU) Hub Node

Physical Bridge Links

(Star Topology)

Distributed Remote

Node Locations

Figure 3-1. Ring/Star Configuration Example

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